Complete Chemical Transformation of a Molecular Film by Subexcitation Electrons ($&lt;3\text{ }\text{ }\mathrm{e}\mathrm{V}$)

Complete Chemical Transformation of a Molecular Film by Subexcitation Electrons ( $< 3 e V$ )

Richard Balog and Eugen Illenberger

Phys. Rev. Lett. 91, 213201 – Published 21 November 2003

Abstract

The potential of slow electrons to act as a soft tool to control a chemical reaction in the condensed phase is demonstrated. By setting the energy of a well defined electron beam to values below 3 eV, the surface of a thin film of molecules can completely be transformed into molecular chlorine (and by-products, possibly perfluorinated polymers). At higher energies () some equilibrium state between product and educt composition can be achieved, however, accompanied by a gradual overall degradation of the film. The effect of complete transformation is based on both the and particular of the step of the reaction which is dissociative electron attachment to , but also the fact that the initial molecule is efficiently decomposed by subexcitation electrons while the product is virtually unaffected.